News

Planning Board engineer: No traffic study likely for Dreamland

By Joel Silverstein
I&M Staff Writer

A Planning Board-commissioned engineer said this week, that to the chagrin of the Steamship Authority and other neighbors, the owners of the Dreamland Theatre will likely not be required to conduct a traffic study to obtain approval for their proposed renovation of the theater.

Mike Hall, an engineer with Rizzo Associates in Framingham, said his review of traffic submittals on behalf of the applicant from Cullinan Engineering have led him to conclude a traditional traffic study weill not be necessary.

“It seems to be that the Steamship Authority’s concerns have to do with loading,” Hall said. Loading and circulation issues would not warrant a traditional traffic report, which covers traffic capacity, he said.

Hall intends to write a comment letter that would essentially agree with the Planning Board’s sentiments at a previous meeting, he said, that a traffic report would not be needed.

Hall did not comment on the potential change in direction of Oak Street, which the applicant believes would help increase traffic flow.

Flint Ranney, the Steamship Authority’s Nantucket member, sees anything that would minimize traffic at boat times – like the potential direction-change on Oak Street. To be sure though, Ranney thought a professional traffic study would be required, he said.
“I think it’s a mistake,” Ranney said, regarding the potential non-requirement of a traffic study with the Dreamland’s Planning Board application.

“The traffic is so bad at boat times that any further congestion is just going to be outrageous.”

The public hearing on the Dreamland’s Major Commercial Development application continues Monday.